tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77774211127534941232018-03-06T06:27:08.235-08:00monica & rayMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-22329721277166085402011-12-12T15:05:00.000-08:002011-12-12T15:05:21.604-08:00What We're DoingHey I know it's been a very long time since I've posted on here but some pretty big things are going in the Malouf home and it's high time I got back on here.<br /><br />Ray and I are opening our home to children in foster care in our area. &nbsp;There are way too many foster kids here and not enough homes open to care for them. &nbsp;So this past spring God spoke to our hearts separately about opening our home and we immediately began the process. &nbsp;We went to an informational meeting with The Call (Children of Arkansas Loved for A Lifetime) of Benton County and got the ball rolling from there. &nbsp;A few weeks later, we took the recommended classes and since then we have been waiting for a home study. &nbsp;A social worker is coming in an hour to do just that! &nbsp;My house is the cleanest it's ever been, by the way. &nbsp;A few weeks later, we should have a final walkthrough of our home and then be open to taking a child. &nbsp;It's so crazy to think that we could have a kid here in just a few weeks!<br /><br />We plan on taking one kid at a time but we will pray about every call we get and just be obedient to what God wants. &nbsp;We know this is huge. &nbsp;It's seriously a huge deal. &nbsp;We also know down to our bones that this is what God is telling us to do. &nbsp;We have an extra bedroom and lots of love to give these kids that have been through too much in their short lives. &nbsp;We just want to show Christ's love. &nbsp;That's all. <br /><br />I'll try to keep this updated as we go through this journey if you are interested.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-37095941935700956092011-05-25T14:24:00.000-07:002011-05-25T14:25:07.574-07:00Crazy Arkansas!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Ray and I went down to Little Rock on Monday afternoon to visit his brother who was in a car wreck the day before. &nbsp;His injuries are not life threatening but they are serious enough that he was taken from Fort Smith to UAMS for surgeries. &nbsp;Pray for him if you think about it. &nbsp;They said it will be about 6 months before he walks again. &nbsp;I can't even imagine that!</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">While we were there we heard the news that more storms were going to be heading our way so we decided to leave Tuesday morning to pick up Owen from my parent's house. &nbsp;My mom is so nice for watching him for us! &nbsp;Then we heard there were going to be storms in both NWA and Fort Smith so we just decided to stay with my parents. &nbsp;They have storm shelters at all of the schools there which I think is such a great idea. &nbsp;I don't know why we don't have those up here. &nbsp;So around midnight the news said the storm headed to south Ft Sm was showing rotation. &nbsp;Right after that, the sirens started going off and it was like the sky just opened up and dumped its guts out on us. &nbsp;We snatched up Owen and got in the car and drove around the corner to Beard Elementary. &nbsp;It was hailing, raining, thundering, and lightening so bad!!! &nbsp;Sweet baby Owen did not make a peep. &nbsp;He was drenched and had been woken up in the middle of the night but didn't cry at all. &nbsp;The whole time we were in there, he just looked around and was cute. &nbsp;After about 30 minutes the sirens went off and we went outside. &nbsp;It was crazy. &nbsp;Not a drop of rain or anything. &nbsp;The whole experience was surreal. &nbsp;It really freaked me out and I don't get too scared of storms. &nbsp;Tornado sirens are something I have grown up hearing. &nbsp;I guess it's different when you have a little life to look after. &nbsp;I am so thankful that God kept us safe. &nbsp;I am praying for all those who weren't as fortunate.</span></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-88459251636538431702011-05-21T11:13:00.001-07:002011-05-21T11:13:54.320-07:00TestingMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-57242607096831637492011-04-28T10:14:00.000-07:002011-04-28T10:14:54.176-07:00Well Shoot<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi I don't really like blogging that much. &nbsp;Sorry. &nbsp;</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some pictures for you.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNX_1xdqswY/TbmPfBPKadI/AAAAAAAAASs/FbBfbCjX7WY/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNX_1xdqswY/TbmPfBPKadI/AAAAAAAAASs/FbBfbCjX7WY/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HbPrb7Deao/TbmP0jghZpI/AAAAAAAAASw/QlqvC-DZk7U/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HbPrb7Deao/TbmP0jghZpI/AAAAAAAAASw/QlqvC-DZk7U/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9jVJNYFZTo/TbmQSKhdLUI/AAAAAAAAAS0/5VmevxZp12Q/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9jVJNYFZTo/TbmQSKhdLUI/AAAAAAAAAS0/5VmevxZp12Q/s320/IMG_1323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjuN4ODEkMk/TbmQ_1Gb1uI/AAAAAAAAAS8/oM9JXNKahak/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjuN4ODEkMk/TbmQ_1Gb1uI/AAAAAAAAAS8/oM9JXNKahak/s320/IMG_1357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-al56RDH-Y/TbmRb0Dn_jI/AAAAAAAAATA/YLnPK2OjTBU/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-al56RDH-Y/TbmRb0Dn_jI/AAAAAAAAATA/YLnPK2OjTBU/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tz4cunRlC8/TbmRdawu4LI/AAAAAAAAATE/f0n9Vd9XdOE/s1600/Owen_pooping+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tz4cunRlC8/TbmRdawu4LI/AAAAAAAAATE/f0n9Vd9XdOE/s320/Owen_pooping+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-75677022360392373942011-04-28T08:54:00.000-07:002011-04-28T08:55:56.655-07:00John Mark McMillan | Death In His Grave Performance<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UJDguHJ34SE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just amazing.</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-68711628127579806132011-02-14T13:18:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:18:35.555-08:00Some Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DWHnw21-Ek/TVmaXGlvQtI/AAAAAAAAASg/VOf0hIA42OE/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DWHnw21-Ek/TVmaXGlvQtI/AAAAAAAAASg/VOf0hIA42OE/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQvUIhqrPCg/TVma1HUPZMI/AAAAAAAAASk/DTWe_VR6Gg0/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQvUIhqrPCg/TVma1HUPZMI/AAAAAAAAASk/DTWe_VR6Gg0/s320/IMG_1035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some brand spanking new pictures of Owen.&nbsp; There are only two cause blogger takes an insane amount of time to load.&nbsp; Time is not something I have to spare lately.&nbsp; Chrissy, before you gripe that there are only two pictures on here, be thankful that there are actually two new pictures on here.</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-56902518139709628332011-01-11T06:58:00.000-08:002011-01-11T13:06:30.937-08:00Late Christmas Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few pictures from our Christmas in Fort Smith.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My mom got us an incredibly amazing camera this year and this was my first time to get a hold of it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs-f6xQUUI/AAAAAAAAASA/mMONWR-pZi8/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs-f6xQUUI/AAAAAAAAASA/mMONWR-pZi8/s320/053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_EO6kbiI/AAAAAAAAASE/tzV8OGosvF4/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_EO6kbiI/AAAAAAAAASE/tzV8OGosvF4/s320/117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_Zx2LhoI/AAAAAAAAASI/pZ53ynmLM7w/s1600/093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_Zx2LhoI/AAAAAAAAASI/pZ53ynmLM7w/s320/093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man I love those scrunchy little toes!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_vDGMj8I/AAAAAAAAASM/XZG07lk2XHQ/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSs_vDGMj8I/AAAAAAAAASM/XZG07lk2XHQ/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSxq6IUnGCI/AAAAAAAAASU/WMvauVZcEjw/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TSxq6IUnGCI/AAAAAAAAASU/WMvauVZcEjw/s320/140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ray can make this kid laugh more than anyone else!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our first Christmas with Owen was so much fun.&nbsp; He didn't really care much about presents but he sure did love the wrapping paper!&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I got the idea from another blog I read to find a word to live by this year.&nbsp; My word for 2011 is consistency.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What word defines you this year?</span></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-86931978719204210032010-12-13T12:51:00.000-08:002010-12-13T14:02:42.716-08:00A Little Bit Granola<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the past six months, Ray and I have made some changes&nbsp;to our lifestyle.&nbsp; We have turned a little bit granola.&nbsp; It all started when we watched the documentary Food Inc. and realized all the pesticides and hormones and other harmful things that end up on our plates.&nbsp; We have made slow and small changes but we feel much better about it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp; </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most shocking and first hand experience I've had with pesticides is on strawberries.&nbsp; I thought I was allergic to&nbsp;them when after eating them every time my lips would swell up and get these really painful bumps all over them.&nbsp; The last time it happened was the day before I started a new job.&nbsp; Pretty embarrassing.&nbsp; I went to the doctor and the first thing he asked was if I had eaten strawberries.&nbsp; He told me to try some organic ones 'cause they don't have all the pesticides on them&nbsp;since that was probably what I was actually allergic to.&nbsp; I had always washed my strawberries before eating them but that's one of the fruits that really holds on to all the bad stuff.&nbsp; That really creeps me out.&nbsp; I now eat organic strawberries and they actually taste a thousand times better,&nbsp;and I don't look like I just kissed a swarm of bees.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There is an amazing local company called <a href="http://oldsoulorganics.com/">Old Soul Organics</a>&nbsp;that we have been getting organic produce from.&nbsp; We get a large 40 lb. crate of food delivered to our house and split it with two other families and it's only $45.&nbsp; One of our friends went to Walmart and did a price comparison on regular produce and Old Soul was cheaper per lb.&nbsp; The quality is always incredible.&nbsp; Most of their food is from local farmers and they have a pretty good selection of meat now too.&nbsp; You don't get to choose what comes in the box so it's made me try new things that I wouldn't have ever bought.&nbsp; We just got some red chard and I have no idea what to do with it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TQaG3kvlZUI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ZPQTKmwELIU/s1600/old+soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TQaG3kvlZUI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ZPQTKmwELIU/s1600/old+soul.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is all the food divided out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two weeks ago my friend Stephanie and I had the domestic itch and decided to try and make our own laundry detergent.&nbsp; It was SO easy and fun.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the recipe:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2 cups grated soap Fels Naptha, Ivory or handmade</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 cup Borax</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 cup washing soda Arm and Hammer makes this</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mix it all together and add 2 tablespoons to a large load of clothes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">All the ingredients were at Harps in Centerton.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stephanie had some handmade soap from the healthfood store with essential oil in it so our stuff smells awesome.&nbsp; I've read that you can add a few drops to the wash but haven't tried it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was real fun and super cheap to make.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TQaLZHZsRiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/q1lvazM7GVQ/s1600/laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TQaLZHZsRiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/q1lvazM7GVQ/s1600/laundry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We aren't planning on going crazy with the whole organic/green living thing.&nbsp; We still eat processed food&nbsp;and use paper towels but we are&nbsp;trying to be more aware of what we eat and&nbsp;how we are living.&nbsp; We realized that we can do better.&nbsp; I don't foresee disposable diapers in our future anytime soon, though.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyone else out there a little bit granola?</span></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-52662268412957632592010-12-06T07:37:00.000-08:002010-12-06T07:44:33.993-08:00Oh Sweet Sleep<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0BaWe9AEI/AAAAAAAAARc/D06yNqJcU2k/s1600/sleepy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0BaWe9AEI/AAAAAAAAARc/D06yNqJcU2k/s320/sleepy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never realized how precious a full night of sleep was until I hadn't had one in over 3 months.&nbsp; Owen has now slept 3 full nights in his room.&nbsp; Not a peep until 6am.&nbsp; He is a tiny rock star.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are a few pictures my friend <a href="http://g-ways.blogspot.com/">Chrissy</a> took when she was visiting last month.&nbsp; She is an amazing photographer!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CM4SUHRI/AAAAAAAAARg/XzjZGm1zWh4/s1600/5146908429_c11620bfd0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CM4SUHRI/AAAAAAAAARg/XzjZGm1zWh4/s320/5146908429_c11620bfd0_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CP_AIwGI/AAAAAAAAARk/kWkRFsYuf7I/s1600/feetsies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CP_AIwGI/AAAAAAAAARk/kWkRFsYuf7I/s320/feetsies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CRrXC1oI/AAAAAAAAARo/q3XMbX7AtU0/s1600/5147512098_81c0f20661_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CRrXC1oI/AAAAAAAAARo/q3XMbX7AtU0/s320/5147512098_81c0f20661_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CVFPottI/AAAAAAAAARs/mVN5ApIcUZs/s1600/tongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CVFPottI/AAAAAAAAARs/mVN5ApIcUZs/s320/tongue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CXQNLZ0I/AAAAAAAAARw/kG6FbgLboGA/s1600/smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TP0CXQNLZ0I/AAAAAAAAARw/kG6FbgLboGA/s320/smile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In other news,&nbsp;I have to go to the dentist today.&nbsp; There isn't much that makes me nervous other than the dentist.&nbsp; I am an anti-dentite.&nbsp; Seriously, I'm getting heart palpitations right now just thinking about it.&nbsp; I would rather give a speach than sit in that leaned-back chair.&nbsp; At least they have a tv above each chair.&nbsp; Last time I watched Saturday Nigh Live.&nbsp; That helped a smidge.&nbsp; But the first time I went, I was pregnant and sick and the tv was on food network.&nbsp; I had no idea I could change the channel so I sat there wanting to barf whilst in denty pain.&nbsp; It was the pits.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Owen has to come with me.&nbsp; Oh dear Jesus, please give that child a spiritual sleep aid.</div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-7024840745127287022010-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:31:12.027-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">We went to Fort Smith this Saturday to celebrate my Great Aunt Jean's 80th birthday. My aunt and uncle and cousins from Denver came down and it was so much fun!! Here are a few pictures taken by Aunt Karen.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafL4jkc7I/AAAAAAAAARU/NGC1KvT51N4/s1600/aunt%2Bjean.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 111px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545795017662297010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafL4jkc7I/AAAAAAAAARU/NGC1KvT51N4/s320/aunt%2Bjean.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> An extremely terrified looking Owen with his Great Great Aunt Jean. She is amazing and does not look 80 to me!<br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafL_b2J4I/AAAAAAAAARM/Wf5qTKlGMt4/s1600/striped.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545795019508950914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafL_b2J4I/AAAAAAAAARM/Wf5qTKlGMt4/s320/striped.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafLnUML0I/AAAAAAAAARE/EIbvEsCaRSQ/s1600/granddad%2Bfeet.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545795013034389314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafLnUML0I/AAAAAAAAARE/EIbvEsCaRSQ/s320/granddad%2Bfeet.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Great Granddad holding Owen's little feet.<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafBSjkFMI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/cE8ywASPCzI/s1600/granddad.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545794835663033538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafBSjkFMI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/cE8ywASPCzI/s320/granddad.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I love this picture of my Granddad!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAwnkhdI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QIjY-b2TEJA/s1600/aunt%2Bkaren.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 111px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545794826553034194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAwnkhdI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QIjY-b2TEJA/s320/aunt%2Bkaren.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Aunt Karen is my favorite! Owen's face cracks me up. Apparenly he is easily startled.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafApqlQ5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/Hdd_rt12gxc/s1600/sweet%2Bo.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545794824686617490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafApqlQ5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/Hdd_rt12gxc/s320/sweet%2Bo.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Sweet boy<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAo9wwEI/AAAAAAAAAQk/59XWaGiaAug/s1600/goatee.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545794824498626626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAo9wwEI/AAAAAAAAAQk/59XWaGiaAug/s320/goatee.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Playing with Uncle Doyle's goatee.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAcSAgTI/AAAAAAAAAQc/eiHB3GmToQc/s1600/uncle%2Bdoyle.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545794821093884210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TPafAcSAgTI/AAAAAAAAAQc/eiHB3GmToQc/s320/uncle%2Bdoyle.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Making eyes at each other.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Yeah that's right, I posted twice in one day. What's even more impressive is that I'm feeding Owen a bottle with one hand and typing with the other. "Beat that you little trout sniffer!" Anyone know what movie that quote is from?<br /><br /></span><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-23611215338600536442010-12-01T08:41:00.000-08:002010-12-01T09:05:32.690-08:00David Crowder Band - Shine<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P8cAU475dQo?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This video is so incredible! All the lite brite images were done by hand. It took 2,150 man hours, 700,000 pegs, 83 friends and 148 pizzas to make this insane video. What's even more amazing is that there is no computer animation or digital effects. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I didn't have a lite brite as a kid and now I really want one. Owen totally needs one.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Enjoy!</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-58583184203671341382010-11-25T06:34:00.000-08:002010-11-25T06:59:17.347-08:00Thanks<span style="font-family:arial;">I am thankful. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am blessed beyond words. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you, God for this wonderful life you've given to me.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you for an incredible husband who is so encouraging and who has a heart after you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you for the miracle baby you've given us.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO53DcvRCWI/AAAAAAAAAQM/oaU2vHqoQHU/s1600/hogs.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543499092477413730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO53DcvRCWI/AAAAAAAAAQM/oaU2vHqoQHU/s320/hogs.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO52lN-wNeI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hryATQx8D7k/s1600/chair.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543498573119763938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO52lN-wNeI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hryATQx8D7k/s320/chair.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO52k4wfrDI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XA-H8KkY-bI/s1600/grr.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543498567422815282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO52k4wfrDI/AAAAAAAAAP8/XA-H8KkY-bI/s320/grr.JPG" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO50U39RSJI/AAAAAAAAAPs/x3NIfqxbu4U/s1600/3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543496093306800274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TO50U39RSJI/AAAAAAAAAPs/x3NIfqxbu4U/s320/3.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you for my family.<br /></span><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-21140129931137740112010-11-14T07:07:00.000-08:002010-11-14T08:03:21.335-08:00I'm back to work...<div>It's hard to believe, but Owen is already 2 1/2 months old. The time is going by so fast. I know that I will miss these days when he is so little. I love to snuggle with him. I'm already back to work, but thankfully I'm only working every Wednesday and every other Saturday. So, if it's been a while since I've done your hair...I'm back and I'm ready to do it again. Call or email to schedule your next appointment. I'll also be sending out this reminder that Ray designed. </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539435511556581650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TOAHP6KDqRI/AAAAAAAAAPc/4g91Ndo4hN4/s320/192.PNG" /><br /><div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-58621546484674825022010-09-23T16:49:00.001-07:002010-09-24T07:46:40.682-07:00Baby Owen<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Our little man is here! He was born on September 3rd at 3am. He was 7.4 lbs and 19in long.<br />We are having so much fun with him! That's why it's taken me so long to post this 'cause I've been so busy hanging out with our precious kid. My mom came down for a visit and took these pictures. Enjoy!</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvrAVGk2nI/AAAAAAAAAPA/09ywQZ5E5W0/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520264159169927794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvrAVGk2nI/AAAAAAAAAPA/09ywQZ5E5W0/s320/IMG_7195.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvrACVCvVI/AAAAAAAAAO4/2Fv3jsA-hWs/s1600/7293.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520264154130333010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvrACVCvVI/AAAAAAAAAO4/2Fv3jsA-hWs/s320/7293.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_sp8JhI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cCPraLJcFe8/s1600/7476.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520264148312401426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_sp8JhI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cCPraLJcFe8/s320/7476.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_YEy5OI/AAAAAAAAAOo/7r0TfSWupEo/s1600/7445+C.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520264142787896546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_YEy5OI/AAAAAAAAAOo/7r0TfSWupEo/s320/7445+C.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_ASA9QI/AAAAAAAAAOg/F2KAdcSpEuY/s1600/7331.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520264136400893186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TJvq_ASA9QI/AAAAAAAAAOg/F2KAdcSpEuY/s320/7331.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-87249798470758322942010-08-24T19:04:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:16:41.240-07:00I Spilled the Beans<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Literally...I spilled pinto beans last night.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Ray and I had already gone to bed when I realized that I forgot to put up our supper of pinto beans and cornbread. Which was really good, by the way. So I jumped up and went to put it all away. I was trying to get the beans in a freezer bag 'cause I've been freezing stuff for after Owen is born. As I was dumping it in the bag, I thought, "this seems like such a bad idea." It was. The bag tipped over and spilled bean juice all over myself and the floor. Ray heard a splash and a gasp and he jumped out of bed. He thought my water had broken! I was just standing there in a puddle of beans and we both started laughing so hard. As we were mopping, Ray said, "You don't always make the best decisions, do you?" I can honestly say that he is right. I usually realize in the middle of doing something that it's a really bad idea. But then it's too late and I'm covered in bean juice! Oh well, it usually makes for a funny story.</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-41034153058361523812010-08-18T15:02:00.000-07:002010-08-18T18:11:09.119-07:00Change is Coming<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Our lives are about to change pretty drastically in a few weeks. I am aware of this but people keep feeling the need to remind me. I am excited about the change. I want change. We have been just the two of us for over 5 years now and we're ready for a third Malouf. If we didn't expect things to change after bringing home a baby, we would be idiots. The thing that bothers me about people constantly reminding me of the change is that they always say it in a negative way. "Oh you'd better get ready 'cause you're life is about to change!" It's always like a warning of an upcoming disaster. Are kids really that scary? Of course, I realize it's going to be hard and I will be sleep deprived for a good chunk of time. But is it really that bad? I don't know, but I can't wait to bring home the little miracle growing inside my belly right now. A little nervous, but super excited. I love him more than I thought possible and we haven't even officially met yet!</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-17110519184749811852010-08-07T04:41:00.000-07:002010-08-07T04:41:07.100-07:00Butterfly Boucher<p> </p><p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/C0bKY0MnMtY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C0bKY0MnMtY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C0bKY0MnMtY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p><span style="color:#990000;">This week's featured artist is Butterfly Boucher. Yes, that is her real name. Seriously. She has an interesting voice and is an incredible musician, too. </span></p><p><span style="color:#990000;">This video is great. The weird dancing is my favorite. I like that she doesn't take herself very seriously. Enjoy!</span> </p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-77319894054665574352010-08-03T08:14:00.000-07:002010-08-03T08:20:15.371-07:00A Quick Word of Advice<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Never should you under any circumstances plan to be 8 months pregnant in August. Unless you live in a state that doesn't get as hot as hades. </span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-35519652616189853442010-07-30T15:07:00.000-07:002010-07-30T15:07:01.942-07:00Happy Friday!<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/_ZrEWwbjMK4/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZrEWwbjMK4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZrEWwbjMK4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p><span style="color:#990000;">I would like to be friends with this guy.</span></p><p><span style="color:#990000;">Also, this is just about how excited I am to be having a baby shower in Fort Smith tomorrow! Yea presents!</span></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-46820513292223335652010-07-27T05:46:00.000-07:002010-07-27T05:57:37.547-07:00Matthew Perryman Jones<p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">So I had an idea to start featuring some of my favorite and less well known musicians on here each week. Hopefully they will be new to most of you that read this and you can find new favorites.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">This week is Matthew Perryman Jones. He is incredible. His voice and his songwriting abilities leave me stunned and smiling. While I realize this video is full of running mascara, just listen to how great his voice is. I can't help but smile. MPJ is a Nashville artist and my brother has played with him quite a bit lately. I got to meet him last year and he hung out and talked to me for a really long time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">The bottom line is, if you don't like this, you don't have good taste in music. That's all there is to it.</span> </p><p> </p><p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/OrpQLAZdvTc/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OrpQLAZdvTc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OrpQLAZdvTc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-45728058520743533202010-07-26T11:40:00.000-07:002010-07-26T12:03:14.430-07:00So Great<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YtnAR5PI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Tp7BvOuDM6c/s1600/monkev.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288998165112050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YtnAR5PI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Tp7BvOuDM6c/s320/monkev.jpg" /></a> This is my brother, Evan. Or "Kevin" as the elderly and hard of hearing like to call him. He lives in Nashville and came down to visit this weekend. We had so much fun! My friend Lacey's wonderful mom let us stay out at their old farmhouse on Friday night. Thanks, Pam!! So with fishing poles, food and tons of bug spray, Ray, Evan and I headed out. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YdLgFS9I/AAAAAAAAAOI/5pghylXN1wA/s1600/yard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288715904404434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YdLgFS9I/AAAAAAAAAOI/5pghylXN1wA/s320/yard.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcR1pBCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/1a5UlDvy4mA/s1600/ray.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288700425569314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcR1pBCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/1a5UlDvy4mA/s320/ray.jpg" /></a> This is the only picture I've ever seen of Ray reading a book. It sure is a cute one!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcdZqKeI/AAAAAAAAAN4/lnyYA7G00IM/s1600/mug.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288703529429474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcdZqKeI/AAAAAAAAAN4/lnyYA7G00IM/s320/mug.jpg" /></a><br />Nothing beats drinking coffee in a rocking chair early in the morning out in the country.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcIsZbOI/AAAAAAAAANw/m7u1EJH9MWM/s1600/pond.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288697970879714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3YcIsZbOI/AAAAAAAAANw/m7u1EJH9MWM/s320/pond.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Especially when this is your view!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3Yb4m80RI/AAAAAAAAANo/RCJ0WUiskGk/s1600/ham.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498288693653066002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TE3Yb4m80RI/AAAAAAAAANo/RCJ0WUiskGk/s320/ham.jpg" /></a><br />I love hammocks more than any other sitting device. So great.</div><div> </div><div>Oh and I must add that I was the only one to catch a fish. Ray would appreciate me giving him credit for taking it off the hook for me. Still, I caught it! </div><div> </div><div>Ray and Evan, my two favorite guys. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-89140018751254062372010-07-22T10:04:00.001-07:002010-07-22T10:21:35.674-07:00Zorak in Real Life<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh8WG9-rEI/AAAAAAAAANg/Ur_0f66uKt0/s1600/zorak.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496780064475229250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh8WG9-rEI/AAAAAAAAANg/Ur_0f66uKt0/s320/zorak.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">I used to be a pretty big fan of Spaceghost Coast to Coast back in the day. This show features a grouchy praying mantis named Zorak. Well, I was able to meet a real life version of Zorak in my own home. He was just as creepy and just as grouchy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Yesterday morning I went in the garage and turned on the light to find this giant of a bug hanging out right next to where my hand had previously been! I almost touched it!!! I hate bugs more than I hate cats. They creep me out with those creepy little legs and claws. Also, you never know if they are going to jump on you or fly in your hair. Anyway, I ran in and jumped around and did a little freak out dance. Apparently it was disconcerting because my dog ran over to make sure everything was ok. I then made all my clients throughout the day come in the garage and check out, "the most gigantic but you will ever see in real life!" Most thoroughly enjoyed it. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh6UdoOrlI/AAAAAAAAANY/sDRCFfKPN_g/s1600/bug2.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496777837175025234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh6UdoOrlI/AAAAAAAAANY/sDRCFfKPN_g/s320/bug2.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh6UIw6gII/AAAAAAAAANQ/BHR0UO5HurU/s1600/gross.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496777831574306946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TEh6UIw6gII/AAAAAAAAANQ/BHR0UO5HurU/s320/gross.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><br />When Ray got home from work Zorak was still hanging out upsidedown on the wall and I asked him to kindly remove him as I hid inside. Ray came back in and told me he tried to "golf" him out with a rolled up magazine but accidentally knocked his head off. Oops! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Spaceghost really was such a funny show.</span> <br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-61910414427753127542010-07-13T12:19:00.000-07:002010-07-14T07:48:39.153-07:00You Might Get Punched<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Here is a list of the things dumb people say to pregnant women that merit a swift punch in the jaw.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1. "Wow, you're huge!" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-Seriously? You think I don't already know that? </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2. "Epidurals are so dangerous, you had better not get any medicine during labor. In fact, you should have your baby at home because hospitals can be dangerous." </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-I bet there are many things that I could point out about you that are not healthy but is it my place to tell you about this? Nope, so I will keep my mouth shut. You should too.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">3. "Are you sure there aren't twins in there?" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-Yep, I'm pretty sure.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">4. "Can I see your belly?" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-Under no circumstances will I lift up my shirt and allow you to look at my bare baby home. Well, unless you are Dr. Smith. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">5. "Oh, you're gonna need a c-section." </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-I literally had a stranger tell me that today because I'm too petite to have a baby the normal way. No thank you, I'd rather not have major surgery unless I really need it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">6. "Wow, September is a long way off and you're gonna be SO hot in the summer!" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">-I could probably wring a quarter cup of sweat from the pits of my shirt right now. I'm aware of the heat. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;">7. "Have you had that baby yet?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;">-Really?</span></p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Friends, please do not ever say these things to a pregnant woman. We already feel giant, and hot; there is no need to remind us of our current state. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Feel free to add your own!</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-86685608960215704782010-07-08T10:00:00.001-07:002010-07-08T10:06:14.396-07:00The Room<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Here is little Owen's Room!</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEjLL32qI/AAAAAAAAANI/4jLeBHTtaqQ/s1600/changing+table.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581797969418914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEjLL32qI/AAAAAAAAANI/4jLeBHTtaqQ/s320/changing+table.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"> The changing table</span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEikN2ogI/AAAAAAAAANA/6pDeaZW8D8k/s1600/crib.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581787508744706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEikN2ogI/AAAAAAAAANA/6pDeaZW8D8k/s320/crib.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"> The crib<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEiCPMiII/AAAAAAAAAM4/tVDrS4PXTyY/s1600/dresser.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581778387568770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEiCPMiII/AAAAAAAAAM4/tVDrS4PXTyY/s320/dresser.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><br />The dresser and tiny chair<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEh3N9W3I/AAAAAAAAAMw/OtkrEHvzO74/s1600/chair.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581775429589874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3AhYzShNJIw/TDYEh3N9W3I/AAAAAAAAAMw/OtkrEHvzO74/s320/chair.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"> My chair and his moses basket. Notice the magazine rack behind the place where I will spend many an hour feeding.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777421112753494123.post-51928952097860262712010-07-06T06:47:00.000-07:002010-07-06T06:56:04.286-07:00Not Much Longer<span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Only 9 weeks and 6 days left until little Owen Foster Malouf makes his entry into the world. That really doesn't seem like a long time. At least not until I go outside and realize how hot it is carrying around a little furnace in my belly in july! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">The nursery is finished and all that's missing is a baby. I'll post some pictures of that on here soon. It's pretty cute and is completely void of baby blue, cartoons, bears, cars or trains. That makes me happy. I don't know what the kid will want later in life but until then, he has a modern baby room. </span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668271143311087861noreply@blogger.com2